This group makes up the committee for the Cheticamp Walk. From left to right are, Darlene Boudreau, Paul Angus Poirier, Tom MacNeil, Georgia Poirier, Lyne Larde and Patricia LeBlanc. They meet with MacNeil to discuss the Cancer Patient Care Fund.

She and her husband have been affected by cancer and it’s one of the reasons she dedicates herself to the Cheticamp Walk.

The Chéticamp Walk, an annual event since 2008, has raised almost $200,000 for the Cancer Patient Care Fund. The walk began when Lyne Larade realized that certain medication and supplies for cancer patients could be expensive when insurance plans weren’t an option for some or wouldn’t cover some of the medicines.

Boudreau survived melanoma and she continues to put her experience back into the committee. She says the walk is growing and that a team from Inverness has even signed up for this year’s walk. She believes if a cure for cancer is eventually found, it’s not going to be cheap. The Cape Breton Cancer Patient Care Fund will be able to help with that. The Cancer Patient Care Fund helps on average 35 patients a year.

The walk this year must raise at least $15,577 to reach the team’s goal of $200,000. “We’re floored.” Boudreau said, “That’s a lot of money for a very small community. If we can do it, a lot of communities that are bigger can do just as well.”

The Cape Breton Cancer Patient Care Fund helps people and families experiencing cancer work with the financial burden resulting from cancer. The fund is 100 per cent donor funded.

The walk is held in July so it doesn’t conflict with Relay For Life or the Terry Fox Run.

“The most rewarding part of being on this committee is feeling that you’re making a difference when you’re helping the people.” Boudreau said.

Boudreau is a member of the Chéticamp Walk committee along with Georgia Poirier, Patricia LeBlanc, Lyne Larade and Paul Angus Poirier.

The Chéticamp Walk will take place on July 23, 2017 from 1-3 p.m. at the senior’s hall behind Saint Peter’s Church. There will be music, door prizes, even splits and a special moment for all survivors.

“There’s so many people with cancer,” Boudreau said, “It could be a family member, a co-worker, or it could be you.”